Most people would find the words “embarrassing, filthy and foul-smelling” enough to steer clear of a job, but that is not the case for Wan Othman Wan Mohd Nor Hasyim.
Working as a refuse collector for Alam Flora Sdn Bhd for over four years, the 23-year-old has not only grown accustomed to the stigma, but has transformed it into a source of quiet pride.
“When I first started in 2021 at age 18, the smell was so bad it felt stuck in my nose.
“But after a while, I just got used to it.
“Now, I don’t even notice it,” he told Bernama in Kuantan, Pahang.
For Wan Othman, the 9pm to 6am shift is more than just a job; it is a way to share the family burden with his father, who is also a cleaner at Alam Flora, while his mother is a housewife.
Helping support his school-aged siblings aged 12, 15 and 16, Wan Othman even takes on part-time work at a restaurant during the day to make ends meet.
“Some people look down on this work.
“That’s up to them, but for me, this job has brought nothing but a positive impact,” he said.
He shared that the hardest part of the job was not the smell or late nights but the people – with one of his biggest challenges being unsecured bags leading to rubbish scattered in front of homes, making an already tough job even harder.
“Some homeowners actually get angry at us.
“They claim we do not collect the rubbish properly or demand we clean the area in front of their houses,” he said.
While he does not deny having faced arguments with residents over services beyond his job description, such as hosing down the front of properties, he said for every rude encounter, there were moments of kindness that restore his faith.
He smiled as he recalled residents who treat him with dignity.
“Many people are really good to us. They give us drinks and food while we collect rubbish in their neighbourhoods.”
Wan Othman also thinks about the future, hoping to build a long-term career with the company and move up to lorry driver one day.
Alam Flora Kuantan district operations executive Khairul Hajrin Khairuddin said Wan Othman, a general worker, was one of 10 young employees aged between 18 and 23.
“This job requires young, energetic workers, which is why we recruit new hires up to the age of 35,” he said.
He added that the district currently had 154 refuse collectors ranging from 18 to 56 years of age.
On average, they collect about 24 tonnes of waste per night using three lorries, while another 400 tonnes are collected by 50 lorries during the day.
Khairul Hajrin added that in developed countries, refuse collectors are often regarded as essential and respected workers who play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and sustainability.
